Customer Reviews

Lamento Negro

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This CD, which appears to be a new release due to the contemporary (and unauthorized) cover photo of Susana Baca and the sparse information in the liner notes, is actually a re-release of an earlier recording Susana Baca made in Cuba in 1986. The masters were apparently secured from EGREM and re-released by Tumi Music without Ms. Baca's knowledge or permission. Susana Baca is currently fighting both the British recording label and EGREM for this transgress of her rights as an artist and individual. She and her manager request that you do not buy this CD.

If you've got to know Susana's music from those albums produced by David Birne, you might consider that you've just listened to products prepared for the etno-jazz fans, albums that just exploits her beautiful voice and utilizes a lot of the most liked armonies by them (including the slow tempos and the silences). When I knew that one of her former albums was nominated for the Latin Grammy and not any of those from the Birne's age, I had a good feeling about it: "Lamento Negro" would've remained as a completely anonymous production unless the interest of a smart entrepeneur who bought the rights and remasterized the original recording (it was recorded for tape by totally unknown musicians!) and released it on CD. Because of that, you now can listen to genuine artists playing music with great joy an inspiration, mixing Susana's tender voice (cuter than today as it was recorded sixteen years ago), poetry, and afroperuvian tunes in a happy piece of true and sincere art.

Susana Baca has finally won the Latin Grammy for this album. I never thought this could be possible, but it was and it's fair. You'll agree, I'm sure.

As the director of TUMI Music, who released this album, I would like to congratulate Susana Baca for her stunning recording, and also the late Chilean Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda for his inspiration. I am, nevertheless saddened that Susana's manager has expressed concern about the legality of this project. This previously unreleased album was originally recorded by Susana exclusively for EGREM in Cuba, who then had the right to license it to whoever they chose to. I had spent many days researching the EGREM archives till I found this rare jewel of a recording. We then licensed it from EGREM to release the album worldwide.
TUMI Music is delighted that Latin Grammy has recognized the beauty of this album and its cultural importance, since Susana interprets the poetry of the some of the best writers of Latin America.
Mo Fini, A&R, TUMI Music. Bath, UK

Check it out and see why this wonderful release from Susana Baca was chosen as the BEST FOLK release on September 18, 2002 at the annual LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS! This is the real deal and a very enjoyable listening experience!

Nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Folk CD, this CD clearly shows Susana Baca's is worthy of consideration for the prestigious Latin Grammy 2002 Award. Susana has lived the life and emotions that is so evident in this brilliant recording! She clearly emotes that special quality that can only be lived and not learned, it is why she is one of my country's most precious artistic treasures. When the votes are counted on Wednesday September 18, Susana Baca will rightfully claim the Grammy that is so clearly hers! *Strongly Recommended at many levels! Own this CD and know the music of Peru and South America!!

El disco contiene ejemplos buenos de ritmos como Landó, festejo y baladas. la bella voz de Susana Baca es una garantía. Realmente éste no es el mejor trabajo de Susana Baca. Pero el mérito es que con éste disco se abren las puertas del reconocimiento a la música del Perú Negro, que era hasta ahora poco conocido. Si no puede encontrar los discos "Espíritu Vivo" o "Susana Baca" de la misma cantante, éste es un buen comienzo para adentrarse en la música de la Costa Peruana.
This cd is a good start for anyone interested in Afro-Peruvian music.